What does the suffix -PATHY denote?

Study for the AMCI Introduction to Medical Terminology Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, hints, and explanations. Enhance your knowledge and get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What does the suffix -PATHY denote?

Explanation:
The suffix -PATHY signals a disease or disorder of a body part or system. It comes from Greek pathos meaning suffering, so when attached to a organ or tissue name it names a disease state of that part, as in nephropathy (kidney disease), cardiopathy (heart disease), or neuropathy (nerve disease). This makes -pathy different from terms that denote inflammation (-itis) or general conditions (-osis), and it’s not about prolapse or rupture, which use other suffixes.

The suffix -PATHY signals a disease or disorder of a body part or system. It comes from Greek pathos meaning suffering, so when attached to a organ or tissue name it names a disease state of that part, as in nephropathy (kidney disease), cardiopathy (heart disease), or neuropathy (nerve disease). This makes -pathy different from terms that denote inflammation (-itis) or general conditions (-osis), and it’s not about prolapse or rupture, which use other suffixes.

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